Automatic piano-player.



No. 697,226. Patented Apr. 8, |902.

F. C. WHITE.

AUTOIATIC PIANO PLAYER.

(Appliemon med mv. 2a, 1901.;

3 Sheets-Shoot l,

(No Model.)

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No. 697,226. Patented Apr. 8, |902. F. C. WHITE. AUTOMATIC PIANO PLAYER.

(Application led Nov. 26, 1901.)

(lo Model.)

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No. 697,226. Paten'ted Apr. 8, |902.

F. C. WHITE.

AUTOMATIC PIAND PLAYER.

(Application fund Nov. 26, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Z 12, J I.- f fr@ 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

FRANK C. IVHITE, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO VVILCOX d: VIIITECOMPANY, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC PIANO-PLAYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 697,226, dated April8, 1902.

Application iled November 26, 1901. Serial No. 83,746. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, FRANK C. WHITE, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in AutomaticPiano-Players, of which the following, together with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification sufliciently full, clear, and exact toenable persons skilled inthe art to which this invention appertains tomake and use the same.

My present invention relates to the fingers or playing-lever mechanismand to the structural organization of the mechanism in a manner tofacilitate adjustment of the fingers or playing -levers to differentpositions in height relatively to their operating mechanism and thebody-casing.

Among the various styles of pianos manufactured and in use there existmany differences in the height of the manual or keyboard from the door,the extreme variation amounting to some four and one-half inches, moreor less, in different pianos. To accommodate these dilferences inheights of keyboards an'd to render the construction of an automaticpiano-player when manufactured such as will suit any piano regardless ofthe height of its manual-keyboard by a simple adjustment of the playingdevices or fingerbed and without necessitating the raising or loweringof the main action, body, or case of the piano-player instrument is theprime object of my invention.

Another object is to provide an automatic piano-player with means forshifting or adjusting its system of lingers or playing-levers todilferent heights or levels independently of the action orfinger-actuating mechanisms and body-casing of the piano-playinginstrument.

Another object is to provide adjusting means that will afford a skewadjustment of the series of lingers or the regulation of said lingers todifferences in level at the respective ends of the keyboard irrespectiveof the level of the drager-operating mechanism and effective at theseveral positions of height adjustment.

Another object is to render the series of lingers or playing-leversdiseugageable from their lifters or actuating-pitmen and to afford meansfor shifting the fulcrum-snpports of the series and for maintaining thedisengaged parts in proper relation for the reengagement of the lingerswith the litters or actuating-pitmen at the higher or lower position ofadjustment.

Another object is to provide, in a pianoplayer provided with a system oforgan-reeds or sound-producing devices and a series of lingers orplaying-levers that are adjustable to dilierent heights in relation tothe fingeroperating mechanism, means for stopping or throwing saidlingers out of engagement with the piano manual-keys while playing, ashereinafter explained.

Another object is to provide a linger-lever in a piano-player with anadjustable presserhead or linger-tip having an attaching-spring and anadjusting means for regulating the same.

Minor objects and the especial features of my invention are set forth inthe following detailed description, the particular subjectmatter claimedbeing hereinafter delinitely specilied.

In the drawings, Figure l represents an automatic piano-player embodyingmy invention, certain parts being shown in section. Fig. 2 representsaback view of the improved mechanism, the ends of the lingers being insection. Fig. 3 represents a plan View of the playing mechanism. Fig. 4is a sectional view showing the linger and evener-bar. Fig. 5 representsthe under side of one linger and a top view of the spring-attachedpresserhead or tip. Fig. G represents, on a somewhat larger scale, avertical section of the invention as applied in a piano-playercomprising a reed-organ attachment. Fig. 7 represents a vertical sectionthrough one of the adjustable supporting-bearings at the end of thefinger-bed or fulcrum-bar. Fig. S represents a rear view at one end ofthe fulcrum-bar. Fig. 9 illustrates a modification in the manner ofhanging the fulcrum-bar, showing a swinging in lieu of a slidingconnection; and Fig. lO illustrates a modification in the form of thelifter.

My present invention is applicable to au tomatic piano-players such asdescribed in Let- IOO trolling the movement of the puppets or actingparts with which my present improvements are connected or combined foroperation in practice.

The prime feature of my invention consists in so arranging and combiningthe fulcrumbar or part that carries the nger-levers that the series offingers can be adjusted up and down independently of thefinger-actuatingA devices and pneumatic-operating mechanism and thefinger-actuating devices operatively engaged at various convenientpoints or at any desired position within the limits ofA extremeadjustment, the finger-levers beingop- 3 erative with equal facility atany position of the adjustments, so that the instrument without changein the permanent relation of the 3 pneumatic-action, bellows, and motorappli readily adapted to suit the height of anypiano-l keyboard uponwhich the purchaser or user? vdisengaged from the operating devices.

may desire to employ it.

In accordance with my invention the fingerhedor fulcrum-bar 3, on whichlthe lfingers or A playing-levers 5 are fulcrumed, is arranged with' itsrespective ends each supported by a' hanger or bearing-piece 4, thatisyrnovalo'lenp `and down on a rod or guiding device G, *sus-Q tained inupright position by'asuitablestandard or fixture 7, standing upon thechest P, 'which contains the operating-pneumatica orlv upon some other`stationary support. The

guide-rod 6 may be endwise movable or`rig A j finger-lever 5 -in suchrelation 'that the block idly fixed 'in' its support.

The bearing-piece 4 vis adjustable o'n the' guide 6 and is prvided witha set-screw 8 or' means for securing it at any position of adj ustmentthereon. Said bearing-piece is besltpro-L videdwith ahorizontally-projecting arm 14, `upon which the end'of the fulcrum-bar 3ismounted in a manner to permit movement A thereof toward and from thestandards. threaded collar-nut 13is arranged on the setscrew 8 or otherefficient means provided forA securing the bar 3 rigidly against theshoul' der of the bearing-piece and for releasing it when adjustment isto be elected.

' rinvention constructed-of considerable length more fully'explained'.The lifters 9 in the ypresent instance are arranged to stand directlyupon'the heads of the-action-puppets I, their lower ends retained inYvproper Working relation thereon by dowel-pins 11 or other suitableconnecting devices, while their upper ends are movably supported in aguiderail 12, secured to the guide-supp'ortingbrackets 7, and throughwhich guide-rail said lifters can freely slide endwise up and downinaccordance with the music #controlled movements of the puppets I.

The action members or puppets I can be worked by the usual motor andoperatingpneumatics within the chest P, controlled bya music-sheetpassing over the trackerrange T. Such mechanism can be of any well-knownor suitable construction adapted for imparting reciprocative impulses tothe puppets or actuating connections; but since it is not of myinvention it need not be more fully herein set forth.

The tail ends of the fingers 5 are 'of a shape and dimension that willengage with the notches or detents on the lifter-pitmen 9`and willconveniently disengage therefrom. Said ends are preferably cushioned orcovered with felt to avoid rattling. Beneath the iingers 5which areindividually disposed inv recesses in the bar 3 and fulcrumed, as at 2,4there is a plate or barlG, carrying the finger recoil-springs 17 andhaving at its front edge .y

a bar, strip, or cushion 18, that serves as an evener for the series offingers when they are The evener-bar-may beformed asa part of the plate16 or asa separateA bar `attached to the fulcrum-bar 3 and paralleltherewith. At their striking ends the .fin gers 5 are each f-prov-idedwith a spring-attached presser-'head 25, that acts `against the surfaceof 'the piano manualkeyK. A(See Figs. l'andG.) Said presser-head 1construct as a semicylind rical block having vits flat side securedto'one end of a'fiatin'etal spring-arm 24,- lthe other end 'of saids'pringarm being attached to the under side o'f #the or head is disposedin transverse'posi-tio'n beneath the finger end, as best shown'in Fig.5, the rounded surface of the presser-head, 'which is provided withafeltfpacked face, being downward. A screw 23 is arranged through the endof the fingers, with its point impinging against theat'tachingspring-plate at the back of the block. The spring-arm serves foryieldingly attaching the presserhead and for keeping the head pressedupward toward the linger, while the screw serves therewith as a meansfor 'regulating the l presser-head to accurately meet the key-slur- Thelifter pitmen or members 9 for *operating'the fingers 5 are inaccordancewith myr face of an individual key.

When this invention is employed combined with a piano-player providedwith a set of organ-reeds or sound-producing Adevices 20, thetracker-pins 19 for operating the reedduct valves 2l are preferablydisposed upony the top ends of the lifters 9, the lifter-bar beingprovided with a depression or scat -22 for retaining the foot of thetracker-'pin inplace. An example of this construction is shown IOS atthe left-hand end of Fig. 2 and in detail in I Fig. 6.

when a reed-organ attachment is employed in the piano-player, it isdesirable to have a stop or throw-ofi for temporarily silencing thepiano-action during some parts of the playing. In suchinstances I makethe guide-rods 6 endwise movable in the bracketears of the standards andprovide, in combination with said guide-rods upon which the bearings 4f,that carry the finger-bed or fulcrum-bar 3, are mounted, a controllablemeans for raising and depressing the guide-rods and parts supportedthereon to a degree that will move the ends of the fingers 5 clear fromthe piano-keys without stopping the vibrations of the 1ingers. Thismechanism, as shown, consists of a spring 26, acting against theguide-rod and of sufficient tension to hold the parts normally elevated,and a depressing lever or device 27, arranged for action in oppositionto said spring or springs for depressing said guide-rods and fulcrum-barto bring the ngers into playing contact with the piano-keys. Said leveror device 27 is combined with a suitable selflocking actuator device 2S,operatively connected with a stop pull 29 or equivalent means at thehand of the operator for controlling the position of the guide-rods andconnected parts. As herein arranged the spring 2G acts to throw thelingers out of contact and the depressing-lever 27 to throw them intocontact, accordingly as the stop is manipulated.

For adjusting the series of ngers 5, so that the piano-player willproperly coincide with the height or level of the manual-keyboard of anyparticular piano, the operation is as follows: The operator runs backthe retaining devices or collar-nuts 13, thereby permitting the backwardmovement or retraction of the fulcrum-bar 3 suiciently to disengage theends 15 of the entire series of iingers or playing-levers from thenotches or detents 10 of the litters 9. The set-screws S are thenloosened and the bearings 4 shifted up or down upon the guides 6 to thedesired position, as from the position indicated by dotted lines 30 tothat indicated by full lines in Fig. 6, and the ends of the fingers thenreengaged with the appropriate notches or detents of the litters oractuating mechanism, then reclamping the fastening devices that securethe bearing-pieces 4 and fulcrum-bar 8 in place. j

Vhen the fingers are disconnected from their lifter mechanism, the endsof all the fingers are caused to assume uniform alinement against theevener-bar 1S, so that in adjusting the finger-bed to its new positionthe several fingers will enter into engagement With the respectivelitters all at their proper position.

In addition to the adjustment of the iingers to the different positionsrepresented by the plurality of notches or detents of the litters 9 amore precise adjustment is obtained by sliding the hangers orbearing-pieces L1 upon the guides G to a higher or lower relation inrespect to the particular point of engagement of the finger ends withtheir lifting-detents 10, so that the striking ends of the iingersnormally stand at a slight elevation or at a slight depressionrelatively to the actual level of the engaged detents. Again, by raisingand securing one of the bearing-pieces 4 on its guide above the level ofthe other bearing-piece on its guide a skew adjustment of thefulcrum-bar and series of ngers is attained, so as to accommodate orcounteract any variation in level between the respective ends of thepiano-keyboard due to irregularities in the piano structure, oroccasioned by the instruments standing upon an uneven fioor, or fromother causes.

To facilitate the bringing of the finger ends 15 readily intoconjunction with the several notches or detents on the litters 9, Ipreferably form lugs or recesses 31 in the face of the standards 7 (seeFig. 7) and provide a spring-pressed stud 32 in the bearing-piece a,that slightly catches into said recesses to indicate positions where thefinger ends and lifter-detents are at an engageable alinement with eachother. Said spring-pressed studs 82 can, if desired, be made to exertsutiicient force for temporarily supporting the parts at the place ofadjustment. In some instances these spring-pressed studs may be omitted,especially when it is desired to have the guide-rods 6 slide endwise inthe bracket-ears, as above referred to.

Piano-playing fingers that are disengageably or variably connected withtheir actuating devices and adjustable in height of operating positionrelatively thereto may be employed in combination with operatingmechanism in a musical self-playing attachment of other constructionthan that above referred to, and I desire to include such combinationsas within the scope of my invention.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated a modification wherein the fulcrum-bar 3 iscombined with the bearing-piece a by a hinge-joint 33 and disengagementof the fingers from the lifters attained by swinging instead of asliding movement. Such modification is included as within the scope otmy invention.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a modification in the form of the lifter, whichis therein shown as a thin bar 91, the detents being therein made asprojecting pins 101 and the finger 51 engaging therewith by a bird-mouthslot, as at 35, the action of this connection being substantiallysimilar to that hereinbefore described.

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with the body-casing,and pneumatically-controlled action devices or puppets; offinger-actuating members respectively pro* vided with moans forengagement ofthe playing-ii nger at various positions thereon, a seriesof detachably-engaged playing-fingers actuated thereby, and means forthe support of said fingers adjustable for elevation and IOO IIO

depression within the casing, for changing the operating relation andheight of the series of fingers with respect to the positions ofengagement with the finger-actuating members, and to the pneumatically-controlled action devices.

2. An automatic piano-player having an independently-adjustable seriesof playing levers or fingers, in combination with the finger-operatingmechanism, the fingers and operating devices having means for connectingand operating said fingers at dierent posi-- tions of height in relationto the actuating mechanism.

' 3. In an automatic piano-p1ayer,'the combination, with the fingers,finger-bed and music-controlled action devices; of aseries offinger-engaging lifters or pitmen respectively provided with a pluralityof notches,

` at different positions or height thereon, and

' and down said guides, said bearing-pieces` lugs or detents engageablewith said fingers,

respectively providedr with Van arm whereon said fulcrum-barismovablysupported,means for confining said fulcrum-bar upon the arms, anddevices for securing the bearing-pieces at adjustable position on theguides.

5. The combination of a lifter-pitman having a series of notches, lugsor projecting detents, a finger-lever adapted for detachablyengaging-therewith at its front end, a shiftvable fulcrum-bar in whichsaidfinger is pivotally fulcru med, supports for sustaining the bar andfingers, and means for releasing said fulcrum-bar for disengaging andrengaging said finger end with either of said lifter-detents, and meansfor securing said fulcrumbar at the positions of adjustment. 6. In anautomatic piano-player, the combination with actuating members andplaying-ngers mutually engageable at steps or positions correspondingwith notches or detents on the actuating members, and a movable.Vfulcrum-bar carrying said fingers; of guides,

and adjustable supporting devices for said fulcrum-bar adapted foradjusting` and sustaining the fulcrum-bar and fingers at said steppositions, and for varying the adj usted relation of the finger-fulcrumto stand above or below the normal working level of the fingers asengaged detents.

7. kIn an automatic piano-player, the com-v bination of a movablefulcrum-bar, the series of playing-ngers fulcrumed thereon,guidingsupports for the respective ends ot said ful- Crum-bar, and adjustinghangers or bearingguiding-supports, said bearing-pieces beingindependentlyadjustable thereon at each end pieces connecting saidfulcrum-bar to the atthe respective notches or t Vof the bar, andadaptedfor permitting a skew or inclined adjustment of said bar andseries of fingers relatively tothe level of the actionbed.

8. In an automatic playing attachment for manual musical instruments,comprising a pneumatically-operated action mechanism, a set oforgan-reeds with valves and trackerpins therefor, a series of manualplaying-fingers, a fulcrumed bed or bar that is adjustable up and downto different Working positions; the finger-actuating pitmen respectivelyhaving a plurality of notches or detents for engaging the finger, andprovided with a seat for the end of said tracker-pin, and a foot-pinengaging the action-puppet, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

9. In an automatic piano-player provided with a set of organ-reeds orsound-producing devices, the combination, of the detented lifters, theplaying-fingers engageable therewith at different heights, a movablefulcrum-bar carrying said fingers, standards, and guiderods endwisemovable in said standards, supporting-bearin gs for said fulcrum-baradjustably secured on said guide-rod, and a controlling means,substantially as described, for moving said guide-rods within thestandard for throwing the fingers into and out of playing contact.

l0. Inapiano-player, the combination with the finger-actuating pitmenhaving a plurality of finger-engaging notches or detents, a series ofdisengageable fingers,and the adjustably-supported fulcrum-bar carryingsaid-fingers; of an evener device adapted for supporting the finger endsin serial alinement when disengaged from the litters.

ll. In a piano-player, the combination with the fulcrum bar Vcarryingthe fingers, the standing guide-rod and the bearing-piece adjustable onsaid guide-rodand having an arm yupon which said fulcrum-bar issupported;

ot a set-screw threaded into said arm endwise and impinging againsty theguide-rod, and a collar-nut threaded upon said set-screw and impingeableagainstsaid fulcrum-,ban for the purpose set forth. t l n 12. In apiano-player, in combination with the -notched finger-actuatinglifters,the adj ustable fulcru m-bar carrying the fingers, the adjustablebar-supporting bearing-piece, and standard guide-rods; ofaspring-pressed stud arranged in said bearing-piece, and a guidestandardhaving lugs or recesses for coacting with said-stud in correspondingrelation toA the detents of the lifters,fo r the purpose set forth. j jl13.v In a piano-player, a fingerv or playing lever having apresser-head consisting of a semicylindrical cushion-faced block.-transversely secured to a metal spring,`the opposite end of saidspring-arm being connected kthe fingenandimpingingupon the spring- IOOtro

plate at the back of the head, substantially as shown and described.

14. In an automatic piano-player, the oombination, of a nger-aetuatingmember havjustment at each end of said fulorum-bar, and means forindependently confining the parts at adjusted positions.

Vitness my hand this 22d day of Noveming a plurality of engagingdetents, a series ber, 1901.

of playing-fingers having ends adapted for FRANK C. VHITE. engagingtherewith, a fnlerum-bar carrying' Witnesses: said ngers, andfulernm-bar supports that afford horizontal movement and vertical ad-.TAMEs H. WHITE, FRED E. BEMIs.

